Only students assigned to a specific route may ride that bus when coming to and returning from school. Students are not permitted to change routes at either their discretion or the request of the parent(s)/guardian(s). Below are the Halton Student Transportation Services and Halton District School Board policies related to this issue.

A Board may consider requests and authorize transportation for ineligible students, and eligible students in Grades 4 to 8, to ride an alternate bus for the end of day school to home route, subject to all of the following conditions:

a) Available space exists on the requested bus route. Available space is defined as any available space above the total of eligible and approved “courtesy seat” riders. Capacity guidelines for large school buses is: 48 secondary, 60 elementary.

b) The request is for exceptional circumstances and not a regular expectation or request.

c) The student requesting the “empty seat” has participated in a bus rider safety program.

d) A written request is received from the parents of the student(s) for each request at least 24 hours in advance in order to provide the principal sufficient time to investigate seat availability.

e) The Principal or their designate approve the request in writing.

f) Documentation of the Principal’s approval be presented to the driver of the alternate route.

g) Documentation of the Principal’s approval be presented to the driver of the route and the documentation include the bus stop the student will use.

h) The school will record the name, date and route number for all approved riders and this log will be maintained and available in the office upon departure of the bus.

i) The Principal or their designate, who at their discretion and based on their knowledge of seat availability and the reason for the request, may deny any or all alternate route requests.

j) Permission to ride an alternate route under exceptional circumstances shall not be considered to constitute a precedent or to establish a right for regular transportation.

k) The Principal inform Halton Student Transportation Services of the change prior to the end of the school day. The principal or his/her designate must email the student’s name, grade, date the student will be riding, bus stop location, and route number to transportation@haltonbus.ca .